A hook for our kitchen door. Would you mind asking
him to hurry? I haven't much time."

"She wants a hook."

"Eh? We don't keep books. What kind of a book?"

"Not book--HOOK. H-O-O-K! Oh, great Scott! Hook! HOOK! Hook for a door!
And she wants you to hurry."

"Eh? Well, I can't hurry now for nobody. I got to load these laths
and that's all there is to it. Can't you wait on him?" Evidently the
customer's sex had not yet been made clear to the Price understanding.
"You can get a hook for him, can't ye? You know where they be, I showed
ye. Ain't forgot so soon, 'tain't likely."

The head disappeared behind the "two by fours." Its face was red, but no
redder than Mr. Speranza's at that moment.

"Fool rube!" he snorted, disgustedly.

"Excuse me, but you've dropped your cigarette," observed the young lady.

Albert savagely slammed down the window and turned away. The dropped
cigarette stump lay where it had fallen, smudging and smelling.

His caller looked at it and then at him.

"I'd pick it up, if I were you," she said. "Cap'n Snow HATES
cigarettes."

Albert, his dignity and indignation forgotten, returned her look with
one of anxiety.

"Does he, honest?" he asked.

"Yes. He hates them worse than anything."

The cigarette stump was hastily picked up by its owner.

"Where'll I put it?" he asked, hurriedly.

"Why don't you--Oh, don't put it in your pocket! It will set you on
fire. Put it in the stove, quick."

Into the stove it went, all but its fragrance, which lingered.

"Do you think you COULD find me that hook?" asked the girl.

"I'll try. _I_ don't know anything about the confounded things."

"Oh!" innocently. "Don't you?"

"No, of course I don't. Why should I?"

"Aren't you working here?"

"Here? Work HERE? ME? Well, I--should--say--NOT!"

"Oh, excuse me. I thought you must be a new bookkeeper, or--or a new
partner, or something."

Albert regarded her intently and suspiciously for some seconds before
making another remark. She was as demurely grave as ever, but his
suspicions were again aroused. However, she WAS pretty, there could be
no doubt about that.

"Maybe I can find the hook for you," he said. "I can try, anyway."

"Oh, thank you ever so much," gratefully. "It's VERY kind of you to take
so much trouble."

"Oh," airily, "that's all right. Come on; perhaps we can find it
together."

They were still looking when Mr. Price came panting in.

"Whew!" he observed, with emphasis.